Curious Tourist

Of Rafts and holy waters... The Ganges is the holiest of all the rivers in India. It is said to be so pure and blessed that even Gods can’t resist the temptation of having a dip in its waters. God’s grace and benedictions make the waters ever more pious and sacred. People from all over the world come to the river for ablution of their souls and to sanctify their lives. The holy water is said to possess a surreal and magical healing quality that can wash away all sins committed in the past. This drives the pilgrims and hordes of other travelers to the highly revered lands of Haridwar and Rishikesh. The Ganges here is flanked by numerous temples and Ghats on both sides.   Tourism is thriving not just as a result of pilgrimage per se, river side camping on river beaches and white water rafting also play a hefty role in the flourishing tourism industry. Not to forget, it is the humility of the great river-which provokes the travelers to step out of their sedentary and prosaic

                                       No more music in the pond Once upon a time around a pristine pond, surrounded a band of frogs in a friendly bond. They embellished the pond like colourful rubies on a royal throne, as they melodiously sang in a pleasantly rich baritone. As if jealous of their joy and success, men defiled their habitat indifferently. Life at the pond was no longer peaceful and easy and happy. Frogs, fish and others began to feel very sick and queasy. Hopeless, hapless and homeless, life had changed drastically. Musical concerts were no longer heard, colourful rubies were nowhere to be seen. Prosaic sounds from sporadic chirping of a bird were the only ones to break the prolonged silence. Mercenary men had polluted the land and the water, to murder as many terrestrial and aquatic lives as they could but could not poison the air to a level, that could harm the innocent flier. The bird finally flew to a place much saf

Rain rain come again, for rice, and wheat, and sugarcane. It’s your home, so don’t be too late, else many of your friends will perish if it’s too long a wait. Our land is parched, forlorn and dry. Tillers and peasants can’t do much, no matter how hard they try! Hence come back soon and in plenty, to save us from the fireball’s unrelenting fury You are the Messiah, you are the savior; You are the most indispensable life giver- -sprouting new seeds and rejuvenating dormant life, -enlivening and cheering every object of life Your arrival itself marks the celebration of the new festival  A festival in which all are happy and gay with greener pastures, vivacious trees and a more beautiful bay. A festival in which everyone feels blessed and richer with positively pleasant thoughts that are bright and bigger.  A festival in which nature itself is embellished with benediction